School Year....

Tomorrow my boys will begin a new school year. Summer has been fabulous, although never long enough. We played, we laughed, we went swimming, went on a fabulous vacation and now the school year beckons. Will is starting a brand new journey, he is headed to the 6th grade, to middle school. I have worked through most of my emotions, I think, and as of 3:12p the day before the 6th grade, I am good. You see, he has been in the best elementary school, with the best teachers I could have ever asked for. He has been preparing for this day since he walked into Indian Hills Elementary School in kindergarten. He's been walked to class, loved on by the best teachers around, and taught everything he needs to know to be a success from this point on. I am watching him. He's got his head on straight, he's excited. Mike attended this campus when he was in school, so that makes it really cool. I also know that Will is taking his cues from us. If we seem settled, so will he. I am not looking through rose colored glasses, I know it will be different. I know it will be challenging and there will be lots to learn and new people to meet. Not all the people he meets will be good ones, I get that too, but I also know, that's part of life. I can't keep him here forever, sheltered by me, and honestly, I don't want to. The world is a great big scary, wonderful place. I want him to learn it, see it, and do it. I really believe that starts tomorrow, when he leaves here. I am proud of Will, and I have every intention of staying as involved as I have ever been. We will be his biggest support, he loudest cheerleaders, and his biggest defenders. I will also push him the hardest, make sure he is working to his fullest potential and make sure he is doing all the things he knows are right. I am not scared about tomorrow. I have always said, I never send them in alone. God promised me He would take care of them, and I trust that He always keeps His word. Plus, He's already there. And I find incredible peace in that. Alex goes to 3rd grade tomorrow. Mrs. Ralston is about to meet the sweetest, funniest, smartest 3rd grader ever (I am only a little partial). He is ready, a little anxious because Will won't be there with him. He is finding his place, and I know he will do great. I know he is excited about learning new things and exploring all the 3rd grade has to offer. Just like with Will, I am not nervous, God promised He would take care of my Alex too, and He always keeps His word. I know that He is already there, so I have no reason to fear. I am a sophomore in college. I am not anxious, I am ready. 16 hours this semester, along with baseball, soccer and laundry, but I know we will make it. I have incredible friends and awesome family, we can't fail. We are set up for success and I know we will accomplish big things. Here we go.... Lakewood Middle School, Indian Hills, and Pulaski Tech- The Stafford's are coming for you- be ready!!

In the Little Things....

My life is anything but "normal" at the moment. Mike had back surgery a week ago yesterday. I started back to school 2 weeks ago, this is a CRAZY semester already, should have enjoyed the last one a little more. Today a rock a rock hit my wind shield, Will is sick, for the second day. I had school until 1:30, picked up Will went to the doctor, he threw up in the exam room. Went to the pharmacy, came home, went to Kroger.... see how all this goes. I have made it a point in the middle of all of this to find a silver lining of some kind. What happened today that I can give glory in? Can I tell you something? It was hard today. I really felt like sitting down in the middle of the floor and putting my hands in the air with a loud, "I QUIT!" I can't do it Lord, it's too much. My house needs to be cleaned, now disinfected. I need to do a pile or 2 of laundry and put it away. I have homework, I still have to cook and make sure the people that live here know I love them. And it goes on and on. So, have been waiting for the silver lining? I won't disappoint. At 5:17p, I got a text that said, it's not fancy, but can we bring you chik-fil-a? Silver lining #1. Will doesn't have the flu, just a virus, that I can treat the symptoms of. Silver lining #2. The laundry, well, that will be there tomorrow. ha! I called my Grammy. I said, we need prayer. I can't do it. I want to curl up in the fetal position and quit. She said, you can do it sis, God is carrying you. Silver Lining #3, I am being carried. Mike is doing well today. He is up and getting around better all the time. Silver lining #4. His sweet Aunt Susan asked if she could bring us dinner next week. So Monday, I can go to class and handle all the day to day and not have to worry about dinner, WHAT A BLESSING! I know to some it will sound like I am whining, it's just a sick kid or you chose to go to school. Yep, you are right. And I am not whining about the choice or that my really healthy kid is having a bought of sore throat and fever. But in a house where things are for the most part calm and the our flow is pretty good, it's a shake in our system. I really think that sometimes the Lord does small things to remind us that we are not in charge. And if you know me, I am always in charge! So I need the reminder that He's got it and I have to let Him carry me. It's in the small things folks. So when you start to feel overwhelmed, and it happens, stop and look for Him. He's got people in all the right places, like my Grammy said, "God has people stationed in very strategic places. His arms are forever extended."

First Complete Week.....

Yea, so my first week of school is done. Thursday to Thursday, done today. Can I tell you something? You know how I used to think I was busy. Running here and there, kids everywhere, blah blah blah. I have NEVER been busy in my whole life. Never. Now, I am BUSY! I start my day at 6am (which Mike says is a normal starting time for the majority of the population. Who knew?!), clothes to iron, breakfast for all, lunches to be made, you get it. Crazy morning, I am also told that lots of people do this too. Night before, back packs (now 3 of them) to get ready. Pre-pack any food that can be. Decide if I really care if my t-shirt is wrinkled, do 18 year olds notice that kind of crap? I doubt it, so I skip the ironing part, just once, I can't stand it otherwise. Kids take showers and by 8:45 after I put them to bed at 8:30, I am ready to fall into bed myself. I have always been a stay up late kind of gal. Watch some tv, read a book or magazine, you know the drill. Sometime between 11-midnight I doze off. Wake up to take the kids to school, but grab a nap if I needed one, whatever, nothing ever extreme waiting on me most days. I was not then nor have I ever been lazy, just no pressing issues, no "job" outside of here. And I thought I was busy. Boy, what I would give for one of those "busy" days. Ha! Please don't misunderstand me. I am NOT complaining. In fact, the very opposite. All this in the past week as brought some things to my attention. One, the weekend is a WONDERFUL thing and no where near long enough. Who's in charge of that anyway? We need to discuss. My husband, all these years, just wanted to come home at the end of the day and sit in his chair with a glass of sweet tea. He didn't want to go out to dinner, he didn't want to run to Wal-Mart or the mall. He wanted to SIT in a chair and relax and rest. Big "A HA" moment for me.... I get it! I understand the need, the pull, the force that draws you to a seat on the couch. So we have this closeness now, this new found respect has been born for my husband. A man needs a chair and nothing to do. The other thing, all my errands use to span the time frame of 830a-230p. That seemed like a good amount of time. Some days it seemed rushed, but now, my time span? 12:00p-2:30p, that's it. I am learning the fine art of prioritizing and afternoon doctor's appointments. It's a learning curve. All of it. Sitting in class, answering questions out loud. Hoping you'll say the right one. But the feeling of knowing that really, no one cares if you get it right. Secretly you envy the brave person who decided to speak out loud and give it a shot. That feeling when you sit down, surrounded by strangers and know that you are all there with a common goal. You are all choosing this path. To make yourselves better. There is a comfort in that. It's an experience. Homework, teachers, the thought of mid-terms and finals. All of it, it can be overwhelming. I am afraid I am missing something. The kids are going to need me and I won't be able to do it. Mike will want me to help with something and I won't be able to. I will miss an awards assembly or a field trip. I have never missed those things. But isn't it worth it? Yes, I can say with absolute unwavering certainty, that yes it is. I want my boys to know how important this is. And I want them to know it's ok to just sit in a chair sometimes with NO plans.

1 Week Down....

School started last week. We survived! The boys did really well and both said they had great weeks. We LOVE our teachers this year and that makes a huge difference already. I know I said it before, but I am so excited to see what the school year holds for them. I made it through my first 2 days of classes. Alex was a sweetheart and came running to me on Thursday afternoon to ask me how my day was. He did it again on Friday. He says that is his favorite part of the day! This will be my first full week and I am anxious to see how we handle it. HA! I am using Sundays to get everything in order, from extra laundry to left over dishes and a once over of everything else. It feels so much better when you go into the week prepared to face it. We have added fall baseball and soccer to our mix of activities. The boys are practicing now, and games start after Labor Day. I always say I love to stay busy. I guess that's a good thing right now. I do have somethings I want to blog about. More serious matters, of the heart, I guess you could say. So maybe later this evening or tomorrow, I will sit to tell you about that. Thanks for reading.....

Last Weekend until School.....

It's the last weekend of summer. We haven't done anything extra special I don't suppose. We did have a great dinner out last night with some wonderful friends.The boys got to hang out with friends at a new babysitters house. That made for a pretty fun Friday night. We don't have any plans today to speak of. Maybe we will venture out later to Wal-mart or maybe we will enjoy the rainy day and hang out at home. I just know the summer has gone far too quickly. We had open house on Thursday night. We met the boys teachers, checked out new classrooms, and saw old friends we hadn't seen since last school year. We are thrilled with the boys teachers and they are excited to start back. Open house always gets them pumped about the new year. Will has Mr. Bunting. We have wanted him since we started Kindergarten! He's been teaching for quite a while and we know his no nonsense, organized classroom approach will be a great tool for Will. I am excited to see what the 5th grade will hold for him. Alex got Ms. Buss. Her first teaching year was the year Will started 2nd grade. She is one of Alex's friends mom and he is so excited! She was so happy to see him and he enjoyed getting to see his new classroom. She is a relaxed, fun, very down to earth lady. I think her personality and teaching style will match Alex well. He has some friends from baseball and last year in his class, so it promises to be a fun 2nd grade year. Monday will be here before we know it. Lunches to be packed, clothes to be ironed, and friends to see. They have both said I could just drop them off through the car line. I thought my heart would break! Oh well, we are still negotiating the finer points of Monday morning. HA! So here we go, into a new year. Looking forward to the promises it brings.